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Hegseth orders Pentagon to launch comprehensive review into ‘catastrophic’ 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is instructing the Pentagon to launch a comprehensive review into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Then-President Joe Biden removed U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, following up on existing plans from the first Trump administration in 2020 with Taliban leaders to end the war in the region. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed during the withdrawal process due to a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, outside of Hamid Karzai International Airport, and the Taliban quickly seized control of Kabul. TRUMP PUSHES TO RECOVER ‘BILLIONS OF DOLLARS’ OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND IN AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL “The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts,” Hegseth said in a Tuesday memo. “This remains an important step toward regaining faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform and is prudent based on the number of casualties and equipment lost during the execution of this withdrawal operation.” Hegseth said the Pentagon has already completed a review into the “catastrophic” withdrawal, and concluded that a full investigation is necessary to provide a full picture of the event and to hold those responsible accountable. As a result, Hegseth is directing Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell to spearhead a special review panel to evaluate previous investigations and to “analyze the decision making that led to one of America’s darkest and deadliest international moments.” “This team will ensure ACCOUNTABILITY to the American people and the warfighters of our great Nation,” Hegseth said in the memo. HOUSE GOP RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON BIDEN’S WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN The Biden administration’s White House released a report in 2023 evaluating the Afghanistan withdrawal, which stated that top intelligence officials did not accurately assess how quickly the Taliban would retake control of Kabul. In February, Trump told reporters that he wouldn’t instruct Hegseth on what actions the Pentagon should take when asked if he was considering firing military leaders who oversaw the withdrawal. But Trump said he would “fire every single one of them.” This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.

Rubio fires back after Dem senator says he regrets voting for him, sparking tense exchange

Secretary of State Marco Rubio fired back at Sen. Chris Van Hollen after the Maryland Democrat said he regretted voting for Rubio as President Donald Trump’s chief foreign affairs adviser, leading to a fiery exchange during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the State Department’s budget proposal when Van Hollen used his time to tear into the State Department for revoking visas of those found disrupting college campuses or committing acts of violence. “Your campaign of fear and repression is eating away at the foundational values of our democracy,” Van Hollen said, likening Rubio to the era of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. He added, “And I have to tell you directly and personally that I regret voting for you for Secretary of State.” “First of all, your regret for voting for me confirms I’m doing a good job,” Rubio replied. JUDGE ON WARPATH PRESSES TRUMP DOJ ON ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION, ANSWERS LEAVE COURTROOM IN STUNNED SILENCE “That’s just a flippant statement, Mr. Secretary,” Van Hollen shot back. Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, interjected, asking Van Hollen to let Rubio respond to his claims without interruption. When Van Hollen asked if he can, in turn, respond to Rubio, Risch said, “Your time is up, Mr. Senator, and woefully used I might add.” Rubio continued, saying that in the case of El Salvador, “we deported gang members … including the one you had a margarita with,” referencing Van Hollen’s visit to see deported “Maryland man” Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. “And that guy is a human trafficker, and that guy is a gangbanger, and the evidence is going to be clear in the days to come.” Van Hollen then jumped in, shouting to the chairman that Rubio “can’t make unsubstantiated comments like that.” “Secretary Rubio should take that testimony to the federal court of the United States because he hasn’t done it under oath,” Van Hollen said before Risch banged the gavel to allow Rubio to continue. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEGINS NEW WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISA REVOCATIONS: ‘NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO A VISA’ Rubio continued: “About the student visas, let me say this. I don’t deport anybody and I don’t snatch anybody. The State Department does not have officers in the streets snatching everybody. What I do is revoke visas. And it’s very simple. A visa is not a right. It is a privilege.” “People apply for student visas to come into the United States and study. And if you tell me you’re coming to the United States to lead campus crusades, to take over libraries, and try to burn down buildings and acts of violence, we’re not going to give you a visa,” he continued. Van Hollen shot back that Rubio “was just blowing smoke here now.” Rubio responded: “The bottom line is, if you’re coming here to stir up trouble on our campuses, we will deny you a visa. And if you have a visa, and we find you, we will revoke it.” Rubio said the Trump administration will continue to revoke the visas of those who are here as guests and are disrupting college campuses. A senior State Department official reacted to the exchange in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Once again, Senator Van Hollen proves that he cares more about illegal immigrants than his own constituents,” the senior State Department official said.

Trump, Putin discussed possible prisoner swap involving 9 Americans: report

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a possible prisoner swap involving nine Americans during their phone call this week, The Associated Press reported. Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov, who previously served as Russian ambassador to the U.S., made the announcement after Trump and Putin spoke for two hours Monday. Putin and Trump talked about a Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, which Ushakov said was “in the works” and envisioned Moscow and Washington releasing nine people each. He did not offer any other details. The State Department did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. TRUMP SAYS RUSSIA, UKRAINE TO START CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS AFTER PUTIN CALL The development comes following the release of Russian American Ksenia Karelina, who was freed from Russia in April after being detained for more than a year. TRUMP MEETS WITH FREED RUSSIAN AMERICAN WHO WAS DETAINED ABROAD FOR OVER A YEAR Both Trump and Putin described the call on Monday in a positive light, with the Kremlin chief saying it was “frank” and “useful,” but it is not immediately clear what results were achieved. Trump took to social media to praise the call as having gone “very well” and said, “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.” Putin, in a statement after the call, also noted that “a ceasefire with Ukraine is possible” but noted that “Russia and Ukraine must find compromises that suit both sides.” Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett, Caitlin McFall and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Inside Trump’s urgent meeting with House GOP to pass the ‘big, beautiful bill’

President Donald Trump rallied House Republicans behind closed doors to pass his “one big, beautiful bill” as soon as possible – and to quickly resolve their interparty disagreements in the process. Trump made a rare visit to Capitol Hill just days before the House of Representatives is expected to vote on a massive bill advancing his agenda on tax, immigration, defense, energy and the debt limit. It is a reflection of the high stakes that congressional Republicans and the White House are facing, with just razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate. Trump warned House Republicans to not “f— around” with Medicaid and state and local tax (SALT) deduction caps, two significant points of contention for warring GOP factions, two people in the room told Fox News Digital. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE Two people said Trump targeted Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., on SALT specifically. Lawler, one of just three Republicans in districts Trump lost in 2024, has been one of the most vocal proponents of a higher SALT deduction cap. “I know your district better than you do. If you lose because of SALT, you were going to lose anyway,” Trump said during his remarks, the sources told Fox News Digital. When asked about those comments by reporters after the meeting, Lawler said, “The issue of SALT is one of the biggest issues impacting my district. It’s the reason I won.” “I made very clear when I ran for office back in ’22 that I would never support a tax bill that does not adequately lift the cap on SALT,” Lawler said. Meanwhile, three sources in the room said Trump also targeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has frustrated both the president and House GOP leaders in the past by bucking the party line. Trump had called Massie a “grandstander” in public comments to reporters minutes before the meeting. Massie told reporters when asked for his response, “It would be ironic if one of you guys who stopped me, wants to report that I’m a grandstander. Because you are the ones who are performing this, standing. I would be walking.” “I don’t think he wants to talk about cutting spending,” Massie said of Trump. SALT deduction caps and Medicaid remain two of the biggest sticking points in Republican negotiations. SALT deduction caps primarily benefit people living in high-cost-of-living areas like New York City, Los Angeles and their surrounding suburbs. Republicans representing those areas have argued that raising the SALT deduction cap is a critical issue and that a failure to address it could cost the GOP the House majority in the 2026 midterms. Republicans in redder, lower-tax areas have said in response that SALT deductions favor wealthy people living in Democrat-controlled states and that such deductions reward progressive high-tax policies. It was Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that first instituted caps on SALT deductions – setting the maximum at $10,000 for both married couples and single filers. HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANOTHER DEM OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE AMID DELANEY HALL FALLOUT SALT Caucus members like Lawler have rejected House Republican leaders’ offer to increase that to $30,000, but Trump told those Republicans to accept what offer was on the table, according to people in the room. Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, meanwhile, are pushing for the bill to be more aggressive in cutting waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid system, including a faster timeline for implementing work requirements for able-bodied recipients. Currently, the legislation has work requirements kicking in 2029. They also want to restructure Medicaid cost-sharing to put a bigger burden on the states. Moderates, meanwhile, have been wary of making significant cuts to the program. A White House official said Trump stressed he wanted complete unity on the bill, and “made it clear he’s losing patience with all holdout factions of the House Republican Conference, including the SALT Caucus and the House Freedom Caucus.” He also urged Republicans to debate SALT “later” while warning, “Don’t touch Medicaid except for eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, including booting off illegal immigrants and common-sense work requirements,” the White House official said. However, lawmakers leaving the meeting appear to have taken away very different conclusions. “He’s just like, listen. I think where we’re at with the bill is good, and to keep pushing for more will be difficult,” Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., said of Trump’s Medicaid comments. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., similarly said, “I think he’s referring to members who want to change the approach that the Energy & Commerce Committee has taken.” “He thinks they’ve taken a good, balanced approach to preserve the program, enhance the program, while narrowing the scope and hunting out waste, fraud, and abuse,” Hill said. Meanwhile, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital, “I think the president will not mind changes that…decrease waste, fraud, and abuse in the bill.” However, it is unclear how much Trump’s message moved Republicans who were skeptical of the bill previously. Harris came out of the meeting insisting the House-wide vote should be delayed, so House Republicans could take more time to negotiate the bill. Additionally, SALT Caucus Republicans like Lawler, as well as Reps. Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino of New York, indicated to reporters they would oppose the bill as currently written. Some last-minute changes are expected to be made to the legislation before a 1 a.m. House Rules Committee meeting to advance the bill. The powerful panel acts as the final gatekeeper to most legislation before a House-wide vote. However, it is unclear now if changes will be made to SALT deduction caps or Medicaid after Trump urged Republicans to clear up both fights. Republicans are working to pass Trump’s policies on tax, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt all in one massive bill via the budget reconciliation process. Budget reconciliation lowers the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51, thereby allowing

Trump supporters find unlikely common ground with blue state congressman at town hall: ‘I love it’

ALLENTOWN, PA – President Donald Trump supporters and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) protesters lined the streets outside Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna’s town hall in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday night. However, three pro-Trump protesters who wandered inside the half-empty town hall found unlikely common ground with the Silicon Valley Democrat, who is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Before taking the stage for his remarks, Khanna listened to the Trump supporters’ concerns and told them about the legislation he proposed last week to codify Trump’s executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. Khanna has secured three co-sponsors for his bill, including GOP Reps. Paulina Luna and Andy Biggs. While some Democrat attendees looked on disapprovingly at the polite political debate breaking out at the back of the town hall, Khanna encouraged the Trump supporters to pull up a seat and stick around for his remarks. The Trump supporters did just that. BLUE STATE CONGRESSMAN DITCHES DEM PLAYBOOK, SEEKS TO CODIFY TRUMP’S LATEST EXECUTIVE ORDER “I love it,” Khanna told Fox News Digital ahead of his speech. “I love the First Amendment. They’re peaceful. I walked by them. They were very civil. That’s democracy, and they’re welcome to come in.” GOP REPS, ADVOCACY GROUP TO TARGET COMPETITIVE HOUSE DISTRICTS IN TRUMP TAX-CUT PUSH When Khanna took the stage, he thanked the Trump supporters for their conversation and spotlighted how Americans can find common ground on lowering prescription drug prices amid persistent political violence in the United States. Khanna said he was appreciative of the conversation in light of a terrorist attack on a fertility clinic in California earlier that day, the arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home last month and the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania last year. Khanna’s Allentown event was the first of two “Benefits Over Billionaires” town halls hosted in Republican-held congressional districts in swing state Pennsylvania this weekend. While Khanna was a long way from his home district, he was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Bucks County. Republican Reps. Ryan Mackenzie and Brian Fitzpatrick, both likely to face competitive challenges to hold their House seats in 2026, represent the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County districts Khanna visited this weekend. “He should be back home in his own district doing a town hall with his constituents, but I think he’s campaigning for president most likely, so he’s trying to get his name ID out there all across the country,” Mackenzie told Fox News Digital before knocking on doors with AFP on Saturday. Mackenzie accused Khanna of “going around, mugging for the cameras, trying to get clicks on social media and trying to boost [his] own profile,” as he defended his own accessibility to his Pennsylvania constituents. However, Khanna deflected Mackenzie’s accusation about posturing for a political future when pressed by Fox News Digital. “This is about saving the jobs at the Mack plant. This is about making sure we don’t cut Medicaid. This is about making sure people aren’t getting hurt in this community and around the country,” Khanna said. Democrats have railed against proposed Medicaid reform as a key component of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” but Mackenzie said his constituents are more concerned about eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from the program. The California congressman, who spoke with members of the United Auto Workers union ahead of his town hall, called on Mackenzie and Trump to save at least 250 Pennsylvanians’ jobs at Mack Trucks in the Lehigh Valley. “The president’s trying to bring back manufacturing. How about we just stop manufacturing from leaving? We need action here, and I wanted to highlight that,” Khanna said, explaining his trip to Mackenzie’s district. While Khanna took aim at Mackenzie for the Mack Truck layoffs, an AFP digital ad truck outside the event spotlighted Mackenzie’s support for extending Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as activists doubled down on support for their elected Republican leaders.

RFK Jr. slams Democrat in fiery hearing, says senator presided ‘over the destruction’ of US health for decades

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. slammed Washington Sen. Patty Murray during a Tuesday Senate hearing for allegedly “presiding over the destruction” of Americans’ health across her more than 30 years in the upper chamber. “You’ve presided here, I think, for 32 years. You presided over the destruction of the health of the American people. Our people are now the sickest people in the world,” Kennedy said to Murray during a tense back and forth Tuesday morning. Murray began her tenure in the Senate in 1993. “Seriously?” Murray interjected. WATCH: RFK JR. REBUKES DEM SENATOR FOR PLAYING POLITICS WITH CANCER-STRICKEN CONSTITUENT: ‘YOU DON’T CARE’ “What have you done about it? Kennedy shot back. What have you done about the epidemic of chronic disease?” As the two continued talking over one another, the subcommittee chair, Republican West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, asked Kennedy to “hold back and let the senator ask the questions.” “Mr. Secretary, I’m asking you a question about child care,” Murray continued. “I’m asking you who made the decision to withhold child care and development block grant funding?” “That was made by my department,” Kennedy responded. BEN & JERRY’S CO-FOUNDER ARRESTED PROTESTING SENATE HEARING: ‘RFK KILLS PEOPLE WITH HATE’ Kennedy appeared before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday morning to answer questions related to HHS’ budget proposal for fiscal year 2026. The hearing comes just after Kennedy joined lawmakers in both a Senate hearing and a House hearing, both of which included fiery exchanges between Kennedy and Democrat lawmakers. Murray continued in her questioning that the HHS was making vast cuts to scientists at the agency, which Kennedy dismissed, citing that he does not “trust” Murray’s information. “And you said last week, quote, ‘we were not cutting thousands of scientists,” Murray continued. “We are not cutting clinical trials.’ But I want you to know, in the last four months, you fired or pushed out nearly 5,000 NIH staff and terminated more than 1,600 NIH grants. That includes more than 240 clinical trials across the country. So whose decision was it to fire scientists and terminate these NIH grants and the clinical trial?” DEM LAWMAKER SEETHES RFK JR’S ‘LEGITIMACY’ AS HHS SECRETARY HAS ‘EXPIRED’ IN HEATED EXCHANGE “Senator, I don’t trust your information with all due respect,” Kennedy responded, continuing that Murray’s previous remarks in a recent hearing were not correct. “You told me what, three days ago or four days ago, that we had cut a clinical trial in your state and … what you said turned out to be completely untrue. And you knew it was untrue because you corresponded with (Director of the National Institutes of Health) Jay Bhattacharya before that.” “You came here to argue with me,” Murray added. “I came here to ask you questions about your budget request. Your budget request is asking us to cut dramatically. But I am also making the point that Senator Baldwin made, that what you are doing right now is enacting your budget, that Congress has not passed, by cutting critical funding across the board.” The Washington Democrat previously exchanged barbs with Kennedy Wednesday, when Murray accused Kennedy and the Trump administration of delaying critical cancer care for one of her constituents. “Mr. Secretary, one of my constituents … she’s a mom of two from Bainbridge Island in Washington state,” Murray said in her opening line of questioning Wednesday. “She has been fighting aggressive stage four colorectal cancer for nearly five years now. Her best hope now is a clinical trial she’s participating in at the [National Institutes of Health’s] Clinical Center.” FDA’S LATEST MAHA MOVE WOULD WIPE OUT KIDS’ FLUORIDE PRESCRIPTIONS AS HEALTH RISK EVIDENCE MOUNTS “But because of the thoughtless mass firing of thousands of critical employees across NIH and HHS that you carried out, Natalie’s doctors at that clinical center have told her they have no choice but to delay her treatment by an additional four weeks.” “I can’t tell you that now, Sen. Murray,” Kennedy responded. “What I can tell you is that if you contact my office tomorrow, I’ll look specifically into that.” However, that answer from Kennedy was “not acceptable” to the senator. “That is not acceptable,” Murray shot back, eventually demanding Kennedy provide her an update on Natalie’s case within 24 hours. “I want an answer.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Kennedy added during Tuesday’s hearing that Murray’s constituent had qualified for the clinical trial “this week,” adding that “we shouldn’t be talking about patients’ private information,” with Murray agreeing. Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this article.

Alina Habba drops federal trespassing charge against Dem mayor, offers ICE facility tour: ‘Nothing to hide’

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka is no longer facing a federal trespassing charge over an incident earlier this month at Delaney Hall, a privately operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in his city. “After extensive consideration, we have agreed to dismiss Mayor Baraka’s misdemeanor charge of trespass for the sake of moving forward,” acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba said in a statement on Monday evening. “In the spirit of public interest, I have invited the mayor to tour Delaney Hall. The government has nothing to hide at this facility, and I will personally accompany the mayor so he can see that firsthand,” she continued. DHS SAYS ‘ARRESTS ARE STILL ON THE TABLE’ AFTER NEW JERSEY HOUSE DEMS CAUGHT ON CAMERA ‘STORMING’ ICE FACILITY However, Rep. LaMonica McIver is being charged for allegedly “assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement.” Fox News has learned that McIver must turn herself in as soon as possible, though it is up to the magistrate on the specifics of when she must turn herself in and how. “I am glad that the U.S. Attorney has agreed that this case should be dismissed,” he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE “I have had strong relationships with prior U.S. Attorneys, and I plan to speak with the current U.S. Attorney about issues on which we can cooperate. As to Delaney Hall, I will continue to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees, and I will continue to press the facility to ensure that it is compliant with City of Newark codes and regulations.” NEWARK MAYOR ARRESTED AT ICE FACILITY CLAIMS HE WAS ‘TARGETED’ AFTER COURT HEARING “I understand that the U.S. Attorney has chosen to charge Congresswoman LaMonica McIver with assaulting law enforcement,” Baraka continued. “Congresswoman McIver is a daughter of Newark, past Newark Council President, a former student of mine, and a dear friend. I want to be clear: I stand with LaMonica, and I fully expect her to be vindicated.” Baraka and three congressional lawmakers – McIver, Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman – were outside the ICE facility earlier this month with a group of protesters when the gates opened to allow an ICE bus in. All four officials then allegedly rushed through the gates past security, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “If it was a typical U.S. citizen, and they tried to storm into a detention facility that’s housing dangerous criminals or any person at all, they would be arrested,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told “Fox News Live” host Kevin Corke earlier this month. “Just because you are a member of Congress or just because you’re a public official, does not mean you are above the law.” BLUE STATE POLITICAL BATTLE INTENSIFIES AFTER DEM MAYOR’S ARREST AT ICE FACILITY: ‘OUTRAGED’ Baraka’s arrest triggered a local political firestorm, as he is also in the Democratic primary for governor. He appeared in court last Thursday for a status conference, where the case was expected to proceed to trial at the time for the class C misdemeanor charge. The court appearance led supporters of Baraka to rally outside the Newark federal courtroom, and Habba personally showed up to the conference. Fox News’ Greg Wehner and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.

Nebraska becomes first state approved to ban soda purchases with food stamps

Nebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to ban the purchase of soda and energy drinks under the benefit program for low-income Americans long known as food stamps. The move, announced Monday by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, would affect about 152,000 people in Nebraska enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which helps families pay for groceries. “There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks,” Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement. “SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver.” ARKANSAS MOVES TO BAN ‘JUNK FOOD’ FROM SNAP PROGRAM: ‘DEFINITION OF CRAZY’ Six other states — Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa and West Virginia — have also submitted requests for waivers banning certain foods and drinks or, in some cases, expanding access to hot foods for participants, according to the USDA. The push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the SNAP program has been a key focus of Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rollins called Monday’s move “a historic step to Make America Healthy again.” MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN: TIMELINE OF THE MAHA MOVEMENT Details of Nebraska’s waiver, which takes effect Jan. 1, weren’t immediately available. Anti-hunger advocates criticized it, saying it adds costs, boosts administrative burdens and increases stigma for people already facing food insecurity. The waiver “ignores decades of evidence showing that incentive-based approaches — not punitive restrictions — are the most effective, dignified path to improving nutrition and reducing hunger,” said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group. SNAP is a roughly $100 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans and is run by the U.S. Agriculture Department and administered through states. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The program is authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which says SNAP benefits can be used “for any food or food product intended for human consumption,” except alcohol, tobacco and hot foods, including those prepared for immediate consumption. Over the past 20 years, lawmakers in several states have proposed stopping SNAP from paying for everything from bottled water and soda to chips, ice cream and “luxury meats” like steak. Until now, USDA rejected the waivers, saying there were no clear standards to define certain foods as good or bad. In addition, the agency had said restrictions would be difficult to implement, complicated and costly, and would not necessarily change recipients’ food purchases or reduce health problems such as obesity.

Trump admin hits bullseye with first US mine for key mineral used in military ammo, night-vision, Big Tech

EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration has helped launch the first-ever U.S. mine for a critical mineral largely dominated by China, which controls about half of global production, Fox News Digital has learned. The Idaho operation will extract and smelt antimony – a metalloid that is key to the U.S. defense and technology sectors – and reduce reliance on malign actors like the CCP – from which about half the world’s stock is currently produced. Antimony has a myriad of national security uses – including in military tools like night-vision goggles, explosives, flame-retardants, tracers, lasers, nuclear weapons production, military clothing and ammunition. It also plays a role in the bloodless AI arms race, as a component in semiconductors and infrared technology, as well as its use increasing the hardness of alloys like lead and copper. CHINESE SOLAR TECH POSES CHILLING THREAT TO US ELECTRIC GRID, LAWMAKERS WARN While not technically considered a rare earth element because of its placement on the periodic table, antimony is considered critical and less common than other elements. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum played a leading role in the groundbreaking effort to boost U.S. energy dominance and self-reliance in terms of critical minerals and natural resources. The antimony stibnite mine will be used to mine for gold as well, Fox News Digital has learned. The mine’s opening is another example of a critical global supply chain shifting stateside, as Burgum and other officials aim to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers for national security and economic stability. The National Energy Dominance Council, an executive branch advisory group founded in February by executive order and led by Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, was a key player in the opening of the mine. Burgum issued the mine’s 404 permit – which governs dredging and discharge into American waters — on Thursday to Boise-based Perpetua Resources. TRUMP ENERGY CHIEF RECOUNTS EVOLUTION OF US ENVIRONS OVER 56 EARTH DAYS: A HANDILY-ENERGIZED SOCIETY WORKS Perpetua President Jon Cherry called the achievement the culmination of eight years of study, refinement and “lots of hard work.” “We are immensely proud to achieve this milestone. It’s time to move forward and take the Stibnite Gold Project into a new and exciting phase of development,” Cherry said in a statement. “We believe this [Trump] administration’s commitment to boosting efficiency without compromising rigorous environmental standards can have a transformational impact on American mining,” he added. The project will also create 550 jobs and, on the gold front, is primed to produce more than 400,000 ounces of the precious metal annually over the next four years. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The antimony stores therein are estimated at 148 million pounds and are the only identified such reserve in the U.S. – and the largest outside China. It is expected to cut foreign reliance on that critical mineral by one-third.

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